WASHINGTON, D.C. – Democracy Reform Task Force Chair Rep. John Sarbanes (D-Md.) joined Senator Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) today in introducing the Curtailing Lobbyists and Empowering Americans for a New (CLEAN) Politics Act of 2018, a bill to curb pay-to-play politics and limit the undue access and influence of lobbyists in Washington.

“The voices of the many – not the money – should call the shots in our nation’s capital,” said Congressman Sarbanes. “By cleaning up this town’s ruinous culture of pay-to-play politics and reining in the corrosive influence of wealthy and well-connected lobbyists, we can make sure that Congress puts the public interest ahead of special interests.”

“Endless lobbying and fundraising in Washington has created a corruption of inaction,” said Senator Bennet. “Instead of addressing the real challenges Americans face, our dysfunctional campaign finance system has prevented Congress from acting on climate change, the deficit, and the costs of health care. The CLEAN Politics Act would reduce the influence of lobbyists so we can get back to the business of governing in a way that is responsive to our constituents.”

The bill has earned the endorsement of several reform groups, including American Oversight, Democracy 21, Campaign for Accountability, Center for American Progress, Common Cause, CREW, End Citizens United, Every Voice, National LGBTQ Task Force Action Fund, Public Citizen, Sunlight Foundation and Voices for Progress, along with former chief White House ethics lawyer Norman Eisen.